Transferring Medicaid from Florida to District of Columbia
Think of it as two separate programs: Florida Medicaid ends with your residency, and District of Columbia Medicaid begins with a new application. Nothing carries over automatically. Submit the District of Columbia application as soon as you have an address there.
Eligibility usually gets easier in this direction: District of Columbia has adopted Medicaid expansion, while Florida has not — many adults who were denied in Florida qualify in District of Columbia.
Official District of Columbia Medicaid agency: DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) ↗
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Gather your documents before the move
You will reapply from scratch: proof of identity, income (pay stubs or award letters), your new address, and immigration documents if applicable.
- 2
Tell Florida Department of Children and Families (eligibility) / Agency for Health Care Administration (program administration) you are leaving
Report address and household changes through your MyACCESS account using 'Report My Changes'.
Florida Department of Children and Families (eligibility) / Agency for Health Care Administration (program administration) ↗
Moving week
- 3
Time the closure to the end of your move month
Keep coverage through the month you travel. Your old state's coverage generally ends the month you stop being a resident.
After you arrive
- 4
Apply with DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) as soon as you arrive
There is no waiting period based on how long you have lived there — apply immediately. Processing: up to 45 days.
DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) ↗ - 5
Ask about retroactive coverage
Most states can cover eligible medical bills up to 3 months before your application date — ask when you apply if you had care during the gap.
Florida vs District of Columbia: the numbers that decide it
| Florida (old state) | District of Columbia (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Florida Medicaid | District of Columbia Medicaid |
| Agency | Florida Department of Children and Families (eligibility) / Agency for Health Care Administration (program administration) | DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) |
| ACA Medicaid expansion | No — adults need a category | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | not published as % FPL | not published as % FPL |
Verified 2026-08-08 (Florida) and 2026-08-08 (District of Columbia) against the official sources cited below.
Moving with more than one benefit?
The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.
Build the full Florida → District of Columbia checklistCommon questions
Can I use my Florida Medicaid in District of Columbia while I wait?
Generally no. Florida Medicaid only pays providers for Florida residents, and out-of-state care is limited to emergencies. Once you live in District of Columbia, you need District of Columbia coverage — apply immediately and ask about retroactive coverage for bills in the gap.
Is there a waiting period for Medicaid in District of Columbia?
No. States cannot impose a minimum-residency waiting period. You qualify (or not) on District of Columbia's income and category rules from the day you become a resident. The application itself takes up to 45 days.
Can I have Medicaid in two states at once?
No. You can only receive Medicaid from the state where you live. Keeping an old case open while opening a new one can create repayment problems — close the Florida case effective your move month.
Where do I actually apply in District of Columbia?
Through DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF). Official Medicaid pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- Florida DCF — Medicaid — accessed 2026-08-08
- MyACCESS (online application) — accessed 2026-08-08
- DHCF — Medicaid — accessed 2026-08-08